Light snow expected later today, tonight

The Friday morning commute could be slower thanks to a system expected to bring light snow to the St. Croix Valley late today through early Friday, according to the National Weather Service office in Chanhassen.

NWS forecasters said light snow developed across southwest and west-central Minnesota this morning and slowly spread northeast during the day and continue into Friday morning.

“This long duration event should produce three- to four-inch snowfall across south-central Minnesota,” forecasters said. “Snow amounts will taper off to around two inches from Willmar through the Twin Cities and toward Eau Claire. Around an inch should accumulate across central Minnesota into the remainder of west-central Wisconsin.

Forecasters expect light snow to move into the southern and western metro suburbs this afternoon and spread throughout the region this evening.

Cloudy skies are expected this afternoon in the Valley with snow likely after midnight, forecasters said. Highs today are forecast to top out at 22 with lows falling to the middle teens overnight. One to two inches of accumulation locally is possible.

“Friday’s commute could be affected by this snowfall event. Please use caution when driving,” forecasters said.

Periods of snow are forecast into Friday but will diminish from west to east across the area, forecasters said. Highs in the Valley Friday are expected in the middle 20s, with lows around 12 and scattered snow flurries Friday night.

The New Year’s holiday weekend will be dry and cold, forecasters said. Cloudy skies linger Saturday with highs in the low 20s and lows in the middle single digits.

Sunday will be partly sunny to mostly cloudy with a high near 20 and low in the upper single digits above zero.

New Year’s Eve Monday will be cloudy and cold with a high near 20 and low around 0. New Year’s Day Tuesday rings in 2013 on a sunny, cold note with highs near 20. Tuesday night will be cloudy and cold with a low near 7.